MALAGA are plotting an audacious bid to take either Demba Ba or Romelu Lukaku to Spain before the end of the transfer window.

Reports in Spain suggest that Malaga coach Bernd Schuster has identified the pair as he looks to strengthen his attack but will wait until the last possible moment to formalise his interest.

Malaga have already added former Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz this summer and now look set to return to England in the hope that Chelsea will agree to bolster their striking ranks further, having failed to agree a deal with Arsenal's Danish forward Nicklas Bendtner.

Romelu Lukaku is Bernd Schuster's preference

Demba Ba could be allowed to leave on loan

Malaga want Romelu Lukaku or Demba Ba from Chelsea

According to Marca, Schuster would prefer to sign Lukaku and hope that if Chelsea are successful in their pursuit of Wayne Rooney or an alternative striking target, they may yet be persuaded to let the Belgian leave on loan to gain further first-team experience at a club like Malaga.

However, should Jose Mourinho opt to oversee Lukaku's development from closer quarters Schuster hopes that he can be persuaded to part with Ba, who has also been linked with a move to Roma in recent days.

Roque Santa Cruz has already joined Malaga

Chelsea are reportedly not willing to let Ba leave permanently for anything less than the £7m they paid for him in January and don't wish to loan him out to a Premier League rival, but could be prepared to accept a loan proposal from Malaga if a new forward arrives.